By Julius Alabi, Akure
Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Salami Bolaji, said on Saturday that the State Command was doing everything possible to that the October governorship poll does not become an exemplar of the 1983 election saga in the state where lives and property were destroyed.
According to him, if anyone thinks he will bring back the hand of time to read the 1983 episode of political violence in Ondo State, then he must be ready to bear the burden of his action.
Salami who made this known while receiving a delegation of YIAGA Africa Initiative who paid him a courtesy visit to ascertain the level of preparedness for the 2020 Ondo gubernatorial election said the Command was adequately ready for the election
He stressed that officers and men of Ondo State Police Command under his supervision will remain professional, apolitical and impartial in their commitments during and after the election.
Salami, who said Ondo Police Command was fully prepared for the election, stated, ‘’Even if it is now, we are ready as we have all the required logistics and manpower for the exercise.’’
The Commissioner of Police noted that contrary to some insinuations that the Command may not be prepared as a result of the impact of COVID-19 in the country, the Police under his watch is prepared to provide absolute security to all the political parties in the race, their followers as well as all other participants in the electoral assignment.
His words: “Ondo State Police Command is ready to work with all relevant bodies to ensure the success of the election.”
‘’We are ready to provide adequate security to INEC officials and their materials to ensure nothing untoward happens during and after the elections.”
In her response, Cynthia Mbamalu, who spoke on behalf of YIAGA Africa said they were in the office of the Commissioner of Police to congratulate him on his new role, but most importantly to discuss the important role Ondo Police Command would play to ensure a violence-free Ondo 2020 governorship election.
She further said they were glad that CP Salami said he has had fruitful discussions with the Independent National Electoral Commission, the civil society groups and all other relevant groups on ways to secure the success of the forthcoming election without violence and other obstructing political forces.